Device for automatically controlling the filling of reservoirs, tanks, and the like



July 5, 1938. E PIQUEREZ 2 122,949

DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICAL LY GONTROLLING THE FILLING OF RESERVOIRS, TAN ANHE LIKE Filed July 195 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 5, 1938. E. PIQUEREZ A2,122,949

DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING THE FILLING 0F RESERVOIRS, TANKS,AND THE LIKE Filed July 16, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 5, 1938UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LING THE FILLING OF RESERVOIR/S,

TANKS, AND- THE LIKE Emile Piquerez, St. Cloud, France Application July16, 1936, Serial No. 91,012 In France July 25, 1935 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a connecting device or union for use inthe filling of receptacles, reservoirs, tanks and the like, which isadapted to operate in such a manner as to automatically stop the inletof the liquid which passes through it when the liquid in the receptaclereaches a predetermined level, the said connection either being combinedor not combined with means for interchanging the atmospheres of the saidreceptacle and that from which the liquid is supplied.

Apparatus according to the invention is characterized by the featurethat the liquid inlet conduit is provided with a closure member on valvecontrolled .by the fall in pressure created in the apparatus by asuction device operated by the liquid flow. The fall in pressure createdby this device is applied to a chamber having at least one movable wallor partition operatively connected with the closure member or valve, thesaid chamber communicating with the interior of the receptacle to befilled, through a passage open at the level to which .thereceptacle isto be filled with liquid, in such a manner that the entryoi the liquidinto the said passage brings about an increase of the suction effect insaid chamber, up to the value necessary to cause the closing of theliquid inlet by the closure member or valve.

The above mentioned passage is advantageously provided with anappropriate member having a constricted opening to hinder the entry ofthe liquid, in such a manner as to obtain the max imum fall in pressurein the chamber at the moment when the liquid reaches the inletopening ofthe passage. To the same end, the latter may be provided with a closuremember or valve controlled by the flow of the liquid, such, for example,as a float valve.

In the preferred constructional forms of the apparatus, the suctiondevice operated by the liquid flow comprises a horn-like tube, and aparticular characteristic of the invention is that the lower opening-ofthe tube is arranged below the inlet opening of the above mentionedpassage, in such a manner that a little before the liquid has access tosaid passage, the outlet orifice of the horn-like tube is submerged andthe latter consequently operates with thebest efficiency.

In certain particular cases, when the connection device or union isintended for the transfer of dangerous volatile liquids, forexample,hydrocarbons, it may comprise a gas outlet conduit for the exchange ofthe atmospheres between the receptacle in process of being filled andthat in course of emptying. This modified arrangement may alsoconstitute safety means, en-

suring the closing of the liquid inlet conduit, in

' the event of excessive pressure arising in the receptacle being filledfor any cause whatever. To this end, the gas outlet opening or openingsof the receptacle to be filled, in communication with the gas returnconduit, are situated at a high level or at least at the same level asthat of the lower opening of the passage leading to the suction chamber.On the said gas return conduit is arranged a pressure chamber oppositeto the suction chamber, that is to say, situated on the other side ofthe movable control member for the liquid feed pipe closing device.

In this case, obviously, the connection device or union can be providedwith a joint in leakproof connection with the receptable to be filledbut when the connection device for union does not comprise anatmosphere-exchanging arrangement, a leak-proof connection isunnecessary. Thus the invention provides a further advantage over knowndevices for limiting the replenishment of receptacles and the like.

The movable wall or partition of the suction chamber which, as mentionedabove may, in certain cases, be common to the said suction chamber andto a pressure chamber, may consist of piston or, preferably a membraneor equivalent. The said movable wall or partition can be attacheddirectly to the closure member or valve, but, preferably, it cooperateswith a catch which normally holds the closure member or the valve openagainst the action of a spring (which may be previously loaded by hand)in such a manner that the closing of said member or valve may beinstantaneous.

One simple and efficacious construction comprises a pivoted lever havingone end arranged to be displaced by the piston, membrane or equivalentand having its opposite end pivoted to a catch, against which a shoulderon the rod of the closure member or valve, is adapted to abut, saidcatch being guided for movement in a direction intersecting the axis ofthe said rod.

The annexed drawings show, by way of example, various constructionalforms of the invention diagrammatically and also one construction ingreater detail.

Figure 1 shows one construction in diagrammatic elevation;

Figure 2 shows another construction in a similar manner;

Figure 3 shows, in diagrammatic elevation, the addition to one of theabove constructions of a gas exchange conduit;

Figure 4 shows diagrammatically the combination of the apparatus shownin Fig. 1 with a gas exchange conduit constituting a safety device;

Figure 5 is a vertical section of one practical constructional form ofan apparatus as shown in Fig. 4; and

Figure 6 shows, in section, a lengthening membercapable of being used onthe apparatus shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings:'

In Fig. 1 which shows a simple construction of replenishmentdimitingunion or connection, numeral I designates a downwardly enlarging orhorn-like tube and 2 an injector nozzle cooperating with said tube andconnected to a small liquid inlet conduit 3. A valve 4 is arranged inthe conduit 3 and is provided with a rod 5 which is attached at itsopposite end to the movable wall 6 of a chamber I.

The movable wall consists, for example, of a membrane which, on itsinner face, is subjected to the fall in pressure produced by the flow ofliquid into the tube, the chamber I being connected to the body 2 by aconduit 8. A spring 9, tends constantly to maintain the valve 4 openagainst the action of the fall in pressure in the chamber 1, said valve,moreover being screened normally from the inlet pressure of the liquidby a deflector Ill. n its external'face, the membrane 6 is subjected toatmospheric pressure.

Asmall passage II descends from the chamber 1, the lower opening I2 ofthe passage being adapted to fix the filling level of the liquid in thereceptacle R. The outlet opening Id of the tube I is situated below thelevel of the opening I2in such a manner thatit is submerged during theuseful period of the operation. The positioning of the openings I2 and Ia with respect tothe receptacle R is assumed'to have been fixed, forexample, by. a collar I3 which bears on a filling tube 4 of thereceptacle.-

It will be easilyunderstood that when the tube functions, flow of air orgas according to the contentsof the receptacle R, will be produced inthe direction l2 -I I-8 -2, and, consequently, that a certain fall inpressure will occur in the chamber I. The fall in pressure will increasewhen the liquid has flowed into theopening I2. In order that theincrease in the fall in pressure may be very appreciable and that itsfinal value may conform to the object sought, a diaphragm I having aconstricted opening I6 has been arranged at the bottom of the tube II.In these conditions, whenthe filling level of the liquid in thereceptacle R is attained, the fall in pressure produced in the chamber 1causes the displacement of the membrane 6 against the action of thespring 9, the closing of the valve 4 and, consequently, the stoppage of,the flow of liquid; into the nozzle 2 being brought about at the sametime.

The construction shown in Fig. 2 is distinguished solely from thepreceding construction in that the diaphragm I4 with its calibratedorifice I 6 is replaced-by a valve I! provided on a float I8, which isarranged in a chamber I9 provided on the tube-I I. As soon asthe liquidcloses the opening I2, the sharp increase in the fallin pressure in thechamber 1 causes the liquid to rise in the chamber I9, whereby the valveI! is moved on its seat 26. As the small tube II is thus completelyclosed, the fall in pressure in the chamber 'Ils high, so that the valve:4 is caused tomove to'its seat. As the operation is very rapid, thefilling level of the liquid in this case can be considered as beinginthe plane of the opening I2.

- The apparatus shown in Fig. 3 is formed by connecting an apparatussuch as shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 with a conduit H for the evacuation ofthe atmosphere in the receptacle R in the course of filling. The saidconduit terminates at its upper end in a small tube 22 which can receivepiping leading to the receptacle being emptied so that there may thus bean exchange of atmosphere between the two receptacles.

At its lower end, the mouth 23 of the conduit 2| is at a higher levelthan that of opening I6 which marks the filling level of liquid in thereceptacleR. V

In the modification shown in Figure 4, the membrane 6 forms part of thewall of the conduit 2| which, unlike the chamber 7, forms a pressurechamber. The connection of the apparatus with the receptacle R betweenI3 and M is necessarily, leak-proof and is furnished with a joint 24.

Assuming that the replenishment-limiting device previously described maynot have functioned, for example, because the rate of flow of the liquidhas been insufiicient'to produce a fall in pressure capable of closingthe valve 4, the liquid will rise in the conduit 2| and will act on themembrane inthe direction to close the valve 4.

Again assuming that the apparatus has not functioned, if the piping usedfor exchange of atmosphere between the two receptacles is closed, thenthe pressure of the gas in the conduit III will act to displace themembrane in the direction to close the valve.

In any case, the pressure of the gases in the reservoir will thus not beable to attain value dangerous for the reservoir.

The construction shown in Fig. 5, arranged, for example, for use in thefilling of petrol tanks of aeroplanes or other vehicles, comprises acasing5I provided with an inlet tube 52 in which a deflector53 serves asa suppora'for a valve 54 during the operation ofthe apparatus. The tube52 communicateswith an injection nozzle 55 communicating with the tube56. The upper end of the tube 56 opens into a chamber 51 in which amembrane 53 isarranged and is held in position by a cap 59 provided witha handle 60 for the transport of the apparatus. A chamber 6| is formedin the cap 59 opposite to the chamber 51 on the other side of themembrane 58, the chamber communicating through channels (not shown onthe drawings) with the internal chamber 62 in the tubular foot 63 of theapparatus which has large openings 64 providing communication with theatmosphere of the reservoir which is to be filled. The gases from thereservoir can thus reach the chamber 6|, which is provided with a smalloutlet branch 65, whereby it may be connected to the reservoir in courseof emptying for the exchange of atmospheres between the two reservoirs.The tubular foot 63 has a joint 66 consisting, .for example, of a ringof rubber arranged to be applied on the top of the filling tube of thereservoir so as to fulfill the function of the joint 24 shownin Fig.4.

The chamber 57 below the membrane 58 also communicates with theatmosphere of the reservoir during the filling of the latter by means ofa small: passage-6'! formed in the casing of the tube 56 andcorresponding to the conduit II shown in Figs. 1 to 4. a

The lower opening 61a of the passageBI, which in practice fixesthefilling level, is situated below the upperedge of the openings 64,soas to avoid an excess of pressure in the reservoir.

The passage 6'! may be provided at any point 53, which tends to force iton its seat H.

whatever in its height with a plug or diaphragm having a calibratedopening to impede the fiow of the liquid and thus to bring about anincrease of the fall in pressure in the chamber 51.

It will be easily seen that during the filling of the reservoir, thetube creates in the chamber 51 a fall of pressure which is made up inproportion by the gases in the reservoir being carried up through thesmall passage 61. As soon as the lower opening in the latter is closedby the liquid, which will flow in the passage with greater difficultythan the gases, the fall of pressure in the chamber .5! .will increaseand will be able to displace the membrane. In order to obtain theclosing of the'va'lve 54, in consequence of the displacement of themembrane, the following arrangement can be advantageously used.

, The valve 54 is subjected constantly to the action of a spring I0,arranged in the deflector The seating of the valve is, however, normallyprevented by a small catch 12 against which the tail 13 of the valve rodis adapted to abut. The catch is provided with a roller 14, whichbearson a rolling track 15 perpendicular'to the direction of the axis of thevalve rod. At its upper end, the catch" is pivoted at 16 to a lever 1!hinged at 18 and carrying beyond the latter a roller 19, which isadapted to bear against the bottom face of a central member 80 on themembrane 58 under the action of a spring 8].

During filling, the membrane is lifted by the roller 19, the lever 11 isinclined and the lower end of the catch 12 is neatly engaged behind theadjacent face of the tail 13 of the valve rod.

When the filling level of the liquid is reached the fall ofpressure' inthe chamber 51 causes the lowering of the membrane 58 and, consequently,the ascent of the catch 12 and roller 14. As the valve 54 is now freed,it is forced sharply on its seat under the action of the spring I0. Itwill be noted that as soon as the valve is disengaged from the deflector53, it is assisted in its closing movement by the pressure of current ofliquid.

When the valve 54 is closed, the fall in pressure in the chamber 51 isstopped and spring 8| causes the membrane 58 to be lifted again and thecatch 12 to be lowered, so that it will engage in an annular groove 82inthe valve rod.

In order that the apparatus may be able to function again after havingbeen removed from the reservoir, it is necessary to re-set it; To thisend, there is used, for example, a push rod 83, connected to an externalknob 84 which, under the -action of aspring 85, occupies normally awithdrawn position. Any suitable means is provided to ensure tightnessagainst leakage between the member 86 and the push rod 83. Theresistance which will be opposed by a stufiing box, for example, is notto be entertained, since the push rod will be actuated by hand. If, onthe contrary, the valve rod itself had been prolonged, the means forensuring tightness would have been incompatible with the liberty of itsmovements. In the arrangement adopted, assuming that there is a slightescape of liquid around the valve rod from the chamber 52 into thechamber 51, it will be sucked back by the tube 56.

The actuation of the push rod 83 causes the forward movement of the tail13 of the valve 54 which, through the inclined face 13a on the valverod, will act to lift the catch 12, the lower end of which is alsoinclined in such a manner that the catch will be able to pass from theother side of the swelling of the tail 13 and retake the. position shownin Fig. 5. Thereafter, the push rod can be moved in the reversedirection.

If, for any reason, the operation of the replenishment-limiting devicewhich hasjust been described does not take place and if the liquidcontinues to rise in the reservoir until the ports 64 have been closed,then the pressure of the atmosphere of the reservoir would be raised andthe liquid which is rising in the chambers 62 and BI would act to forcethe membrane to deflect downwardly by means of the pressure acting onits upper face before the pressure in the reservoir had reached adangerous value.

Finally, it will be advantageous, as shown on the drawings, to providethe membrane with a guide 8'? leading to the exterior of the apparatus,so that in case of locking or wedging in the interior of the apparatus,the valve can always be closed by pushing on the rod 81.

The lengthening member shown in Fig. 6 permits the apparatus to beapplied to reservoirs having long filling tubes. The central tube 88 ofthe lengthening member is screwed on to the end of the tube 56, whilstthe member 89 which surrounds it forms'a joint with the ring 90 of thesaid tube. The conduit 6'50 therefore communicates with the spacebetween the two mem, hers-88 and B9. The filling level of the liquidisthen appreciably that of the lower inlet of the member 89. The latteris centered on the member 88 for example, by ribs 85a and by a six-sidedmouth 88a which permits the screwing of the member 88 on to the tube 56.

It follows that the invention is not limited to the constructionalformdescribed and shown of which it comprises all variations.

I claim:

lnLevel limiting connection for filling receptacles with liquid,comprising, a casing having a liquid conduit comprising an inlet tube, adownwardly enlarging outlet tube, and an injector nozzle connecting saidinlet tube with said outlet tube, a valve for closing said conduit, saidcasing forming a chamber having a movable wall comprising a diaphragm,said casing forming an inclined annular air conduit of small crosssection communicating with said liquid conduit between the. injectornozzle and outlet tube thereof, and with said chamber, the lower end ofthe outlet tube emptying freely into the receptacle being filled, saidcasing having an air passage having its upper end opening into said airconduit and its lower end opening to the receptacle being filled, saidlower opening being situated at a higher level than the discharge end ofsaid liquid outlet tube, and means mechanically connecting saiddiaphragm with'the valve to close said valve through the effect of thereduction of pressure produced in the chamber when the liquid in thereceptacle closes the lower opening of said air passage.

2. Level limiting connection for filling vessels with liquid, comprisinga casing having a liquid inlet conduit, 8. stop valve for said conduit,said valve being disposed to close by movement in the same direction asthe liquid flow, a deflector behind said valve to shield it from thepressure of the flowing liquid, a chamber, having a movable wall, a roddirectly connecting said wall to said stop valve so that movement ofsaid wall, responsive to a pressure reduction, causes a movement of saidstop valve towards its seat, and thus permit the liquid to add itsaction for closing the valve, a blast tube in .said liquid conduit tocreate a suction. in said chamber, said casing being formed .with apassage connecting said chamber with the atmosphere of the ,ves; selbeing filled, said passage having an orifice atits lower end, saidorifice having means for restricting the flow of the liquid into saidpassage and a, spring for normally holding said movable wall and saidstop valve in the open position.

3. Level limiting connection for filling vessels with liquid, comprisinga frame having a liquid inlet conduit, a shut-oil valve in said liquidconduit, a spring pressing on said valve in the closing direction, acatch for holding said valve open against the action of said spring, apressurereduction chamber having a movable wall consisting of adiaphragm, a lever, a medial hinge for said lever, one end of said leverbeing arranged in contact with the center of said diaphragm, and theother end being hinged on said catch so that the latter moves backwardsand releases said valve when said diaphragm effects an inward movement,a spring opposing the inward movement of said diaphragm and holding saidcatch engaged, a blast tube arranged in said liquid inlet conduit andsucking in the pressurereducticn chamber, and a conduit of smallcrosssection connecting said pressure-reduction chamber with theatmosphere of the vessel being filled, the lower orifice of said smallconduit determining the filling level, and means for bringing said valveinto the position in which it is engaged by said catch.

4. Level limiting connection for filling vessels with liquid, comprisinga frame having a liquid inlet conduit, a shut-off valve in said liquidconduit, a spring pressing on said valve in the closing direction, acatch for holding said valve open against the action of said spring, apressure-reduction chamber having a movable wall consisting of adiaphragm, a lever, a medial hinge for said lever, one end of said leverbeing arranged in contact with the center of said diaphragm and theother end being hinged on said catch so that the latter moves backwardsand releases said valve when said diaphragm effects an inward movement,a spring opposing the inward movement, of said diaphragm and holdingsaid catch engaged, a blast tube arranged in said liquid inlet conduitand sucking from the pressure-reduction chamber, and a conduit of smallcross-section connecting said chamber with the atmosphere of the vesselbeing filled, the lower orifice of said conduit determining the fillinglevel, a plunger sliding oppositely to said valve, a retracting springfor said plunger, and another plunger outwardly fixed to the center ofsaid diaphragm to enable said catch to be disengaged at will.

5. Level limiting connection for filling vessels with liquid comprisinga frame having a liquid inlet conduit, a stop valve for said conduit,means, having two oppositely directed pressure responsive surfaces, forcontrolling said valve, means for generating a fall of pressure by theflow of liquid in said conduit and applying said reduced pressure to oneof said pressure responsive surfaces when'the level in the receptaclebeing filled reaches a predetermined level, and means for applying thepressure of the receptacle being filled to theother of said surfaces.

1 6.: Level limiting connection for filling vessels with liquid,comprising a frame having a liquid inlet conduit, 2. stop' valve forsaid conduit, a chamber having a movable wall, means for controllingsaidValve from said movable wall, a blast tube in said liquid conduit tocreate a suction in said chamber, a conduit connecting said chamber withthe atmosphere of the vessel being filled through alower orificedetermining the filling level, and asecond chamber formed on the otherside of said movable wall of the first-mentioned chamber, said secondchamber communicating on the one hand with the atmosphere of the vessel,and on the other hand with an orifice to be connected with theatmosphere of the vessel supplying. the liquid.

'7. Level limiting connection for filling vessels with-liquid,comprising a frame having a liquid inlet conduit, a stop valve for saidconduit, a chamber having a movable wall and means for controlling'theclosing of said valve from said movable wall,a blast tube in said liquidconduit, and adapted to produce a suction in said chamber, a conduit forconnecting said chamber with the atmosphere of thevessel being filled,said conduit opening into the vessel through a lower orifice whichdetermines the filling level, a second chamher on the opposite side ofthe movable wall from the first chamber, said second chambercommunicating, on the one hand with the atmosphere of the vessel throughan orifice located at a level at least as high as the level of the lowerorifice of the conduit leading from said first chamber, and on the otherhand with an orifice adapted to be connected with the atmosphere of thecistern supplying the liquid.

8. Level limiting connection for filling vessels with liquid, comprisinga frame having a liquid inlet conduit, a shut-01f valve in said liquidconduit, a spring pressing on'said valve in the closing direction, acatch for holding said valve open against the' action of said spring, achamber having a'movable Wall consisting of a diaphragm, a lever, amedial hinge for said'lever, one end of said lever being arranged incontact with the center of said diaphragm and the other end being hingedon said catch sothat the latter moves backwards and releases said valvewhen said diaphragin efiects an inward movement, a spring opposing thereturn movement of the diaphragm, a blast tube arranged in said liquidinlet conduit of small cross-section connecting said chamber withtheatmosphere of the vessel being filled, the lower orifice of said conduitdetermining the filling level, and a second chamber formed on the otherside of the movable Wall of the first chamber, said second chambercommunicating with the atmosphere of the vessel being filled, and meansfor hermeticallysealing the connection with the vessel.

. EMILE PIQUEREZ.

